Metal fabric for mats, &amp;c.



PATENTED JUNE 9 E. A. BEDIENT. METAL FABRIC FOR MATS, a

APPLICATION FILED OCT 20 1902 no MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented June 9, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

EMORY A. BEDIENT, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO GLEN MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF ELLVVOOD CITY, PENNSYLVANIA.

v "METAL FABRIC FOR MA'TS, 80C.

SP AT forming part of Letters Patent No 730,223, dated June 9, -1 903 Applicatioufiled October Z 0, l9fJ2. Serial No. 121,374. (No specimens.) 7 j I J provements in Metal Fabricsfor Mats and Similar Articles, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to metal fabrics for mats and similar articles, and consists in certain improvements in the construction thereof, as will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as follows:

from which extend the cross-pieces B. 2 Each cross-piece consists of the half-turn b and the complete turn ending at 11 preferably in the form of a circle. Extending through the link and through both sides of the cross-piece is a hinge-rod O. This hinge rod also passes through the ends of the links oflthe next series of elemental pieces of the fabric, thus giving continuity to it. Extending along this rod and bridging the space between the links is a brace-piece b. As shown, this brace-piece is a continuation of the complete turn and abuts against the side of the turn opposite the link. It will be noted that in this fabric the links A by reason of the insertion of the links A of the next adjacent series are exactly parallel as distinguished from a structure formed of alternate Us, wherein from the nature of things the links cannot be exactly parallel. by reason of the fact that the open ends ofthe US must be of sufficient Width to permit of theinsertion of the closed ends of the U s. This paralleling of the links is of great importance in this class of fabric in that it permits of the fabric being folded by alternate folds as distinguished from rolling, so that it may be packed in much more convenient shape than those fabrics which do not permit of this close folding. In connection with this parallel-link structure and the hinge-rods O the brace-pieces I) perform a very important function in that they prevent the collapse of the fabric along the rods. In .many fabrics of a class similar to this where hinge-rodsare' used the fabric after slight .use collapses along .the rods, so that'the rods protrude: This of course isvery undesirable and also shortens the life of the fabric. I prefer, however, to comprise in the cross-piece, the essential element of which is the bracepiece I), the complete turn andtohave this 'completeturn in the formof a circle in that surfaceand also an ornamental effect to the fabric. It also is of a form that may be cheaply manufactured.

By having the hinge-rod not only extend through the. links 'A,.but: also',,thr'ough the oross-piece B at a distance from the link, the fabric is given lateral rigidity. This of course is accomplished by simply the halfturn 1) Without the addition of thecomplete turn ending atb I In order that thefabric may be'extended indefinitely and have uniform ends, I utilize a centralseries of elemental pieces, comprising the link A and a cross-piece B at one end and a cross-piece B at the opposite end. The cross-piece. B is providedtwith the turn and brace-piece as in the other'crosspie'ces. It will readily be seen that the links having a single cross-piece may be built from this central series and have the cross-pieces at both extremities of the fabric.

In order to give the sides a similar finish, I extend the cross-pieces preferably along the central series of elemental pieces toward each other and place between these opposing crosspieces the links A. These links have no cross-pieces and simply complete the fabric. I prefer that these links should .be arranged in parallel relation, as shoWnthat is,.to a1- ternate from side toside through thefabric in'order that they may not interfere with the free folding of the fabric, as heretofore described. The rods 0 may be bent at the ends or finished in any manner to prevent their removal from the fabric.

What I claim as new is-- V V 1. In a jointed fabric, the combination-of links; cross-pieces rigidly connected with the links, said cross pieces comprising bracepieces; and hinge-rods extending through the links and along the brace-pieces and forming this gives a better distribution oftscrapingjoints on which the fabric may be folded, said links being parallel, and the brace-pieces bridging the space between the links and arranged to brace the fabric against collapse along the rod.

2. In a jointed fabric, the combination of links; cross-pieces rigidly connected with the links, said cross -pieces comprising bracepieces; and hinge-rods extending through the links along the brace-pieces and through the cross-pieces, and forming joints 011 which the fabric may be folded, said links being parallel, and the brace-pieces bridging the space between the links and arranged to brace the fabric against collapse along the rod.

In a jointed fabric, the combination of links; cross-pieces rigidly connected with the links; and hinge-rods extending through the links and through the cross-pieces at a distance from the links, and forming joints on which the fabric may be folded, said links being parallel for the purpose described.

4. In a jointed fabric, the combination of links; cross-pieces extending from the sides of the links and making half-turns; a hingerod extending through the links, and the cross-pieces at a distance from the links, said links being parallel.

5. In a jointed fabric, the combination of links; cross-pieces extending from said links and making a complete turn at the sides of the links; and hinge-rods extending through the links on both sides of the turn.

0. Ina jointed fabric, the combination of links; cross-pieces extending from the sides of said links and forming half-turns, said cross-pieces comprising a brace-piece; and a hinge-rod extendin through the links along the brace-piece and through the cross-piece.

'7. In a jointed fabric, the combination of links; cross-pieces extending from said links and forming a complete turn said cross-pieceseomprisin g a brace-piece; a hinge-rod extending through the links, through both sides of the cross-piece and along the brace-piece.

8. In a jointed fabric, the combination of links; cross-pieces extending from the sides of the links, said cross-pieces comprising a half'circle; and hinge-rods extending through the links, and the cross-piece at a distance from the links.

9. In a jointed fabric, the combination of links; cross-pieces extending from the sides of said links and making a half-turn in the form of a half-circle; and hinge-rods extending through the links on both sides of the cross-pieces.

10. In a jointed fabric, the combination of links; cross-pieces extending from said links and making a complete turn at the sides of the links in the form of a circle; hand hingerods extending through the links and both sides of the turn, said links being parallel. for the purpose described.

11. In a jointed fabric, the combination of links; cross-pieces extending from said links and forming a complete turn said cross-pieces comprising a brace-piece; a hinge-rod extending through the links through both sides of the cross-piece and along the brace-piece; said links being parallel for the purpose de scribed.

12. In a jointed fabric, the combination of the links; the cross-pieces B extending from the sides thereof, said cross-pieces comprising a complete turn in the form of a circle and the brace-piece Z); the hinge-rods 0 extending through the links A and cross-pieces I said links being parallel.

13. In a jointed fabric, the combination of a series of elemental pieces comprising the links A; cross-pieces at each end of said link; and a second series of elemental pieces extending from said series, said second serie having cross-pieces at the opposite end only, and hinge-rods extending through said links to connect said pieces.

ll. In a jointed fabric, the combination of an intermediate series of elemental pieces comprising the links with cross-pieces at each end, and a second series of elemental pieces extending from each end of said intermediate series, said sccond series of pieces comprising links; and a single cross-piece arranged at the opposite ends from the intermediate series; and hinge-rods connecting said pieces.

15. In a jointed fabric, the combination of links having cross-pieces, one series of said links having cross-pieces in one direction and an adjacent series in an opposite direction; links for completing the fabric; and a hinge- .rod for connecting the links and forming a joint on which the fabric may be folded, said rods extending through the links and. the cross-pieces on said links.

it. In a jointed fabric, the combination of a series of intermediate links comprising the cross-pieces l3 and B each cross-piece being in the form of a complete circle, and comprising the brace-pieces 1); links extending from the extremities of said intermediate series, said links being provided with a single cross-piece in the form of a complete circle having a brace-piece across said circle; two adjacent series of said links having their cross-pieces arranged in opposing directions; links A for completing the fabric between said opposing cross-pieces, said links being arranged alternately against one and then the other of said opposing cross-pieces to maintain the said links in parallel relation; the hinge-rod C extending through the links A, both sides of the cross-pieces and the ends of links of the next series, the ends of said links of each series being placed between the links and crosspieces of the next adjacent series.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EMORY A. lJEDIENl.

\Vitnesses:

II. C. Loni). JIARGARET SULLIVAN. 

